May 9, 2002

When asked how it felt to be inducted into the prestigious AVN Hall of Fame at this year’s ceremony in March 2002, Chad Johnson cackles, “It made me feel old!” For this 42-year-old porn veteran, it was a much deserved and long-awaited promotion to porn’s upper echelon. Johnson, who began making films in the early ’80s, only recently returned to the industry that made him a star. “When I look at those old videos,” he says, “I think, Wow! I look like a baby!”

Director Gino Colbert, who presented Johnson with his award, has known the hirsute hunk for 15 years. “Chad is truly one of the great, genuine guys in the business,” says Colbert, “and he has only gotten more handsome with time.”

It has been a long climb to the top for Johnson, who hails from West Palm Beach, Florida, but now lives in Redondo Beach, California. And it all started with a chance encounter with one of porn’s premier auteurs. “I was 19 years old and walking down the street in West Hollywood,” Johnson recalls. “[Director] William Higgins pulled up in his Porsche and asked, ‘Have you thought about doing movies?’ And I said, ‘What kind of movies?’ I had no idea what he was talking about.”

Before long, Johnson found out. He was offered a role in Higgins memorable 1984 film Pipeline, but things did not go according to plan. “Higgins made me bottom,” Johnson says, “and it was not a good experience. I felt like I was raped in that movie. If you watch it, you can tell by the expression on my face.”

So after appearing in just one other film (the 1986 Catalina classic The Pizza Boy: He Delivers), Johnson decided to pack it in. But three years later, the industry beckoned once again. And this time, he followed his true calling. “When I was 23, I had a brand-new car that I needed to pay off,” Johnson says. “So I decided to do porn again for the money. But I told my agent that I would only do it if I could be a top.”

Over the next six months Johnson appeared in about a dozen films, including Perfect Ten, Delicious and Too Big for His Britches. But even though he found his niche as a top, reaching a new level of fame in the late ’80s, Johnson was never completely comfortable with the role of porn star. “I always felt like an oddball,” he says. “Everyone else was blond and young with smaller frames. I was dark and hairy. I wasn’t the norm.”

But Johnson’s return to porn proved to be short-lived. While on a movie set, he met co-star Dane Ford (supposed “brother” of late porn legend Leo Ford), and the two began an 11-year relationship. “Everyone said it wouldn’t last,” Johnson says with a laugh, “but we were together for a long time. And it was Dane who took me out of the business.”

During his next hiatus from the industry, Johnson returned to school and began a career as a hairdresser. When his relationship with Ford ended a few years ago, Johnson decided to look up agent Johnny Johnston. “I met a fan who showed me some of my old movies,” Johnson says. “I had never seen a lot of them. I thought they were pretty good. So, I wasn’t in a relationship, I was 40 and still looked okay, and I thought, If I’m gonna do it, I better do it now.”

Since his latest comeback, Johnson has done 14 movies, including Man Academy, Echoes and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He says that the industry has changed a lot in the 20 years since he got his start, and, in his estimation, not always for the best. “In the ’80s, you were treated like a star,” he says. “Today, they use you up and spit you out. In fact, the money was better back then.”

So for now, Johnson is planning his next career as a gemologist. His future in porn remains unclear. “I might be done,” he says. “I enjoy doing the movies. They are cool, but work is work. Plus, I’m not getting any younger.” At least this veteran performer has the satisfaction of winning the AVN Hall of Fame Award, which proudly sits on a dresser in his bedroom. “It was important to me to win,” Johnson says. “I felt, finally, recognition! It felt really good.”

May 7, 2002

Sexy porn star Jeremy Tucker returns to New York on Thursday, May 9, 2002, for a special midnight show at Stonewall. The perfectly built twentysomething from east Texas has certainly kept busy in his three years in the porn industry. Tucker has appeared in more than 20 films, including recent releases such as Raging Stallion’s Raiders of the Lost Arse, Men of Odyssey’s White Party Boiz, and Chi Chi LaRue’s The Missing Link for All Worlds Video. When he’s not making movies, the tall (six foot) and solid (180 pounds) hunk enjoys riding his bike, shopping and going to the beach. We recently caught up with Tucker at his home in Los Angeles as he snacked on a light breakfast of tortilla chips and ranch dressing.

What can we expect from your upcoming midnight appearance at Stonewall?Well, they tell me I am doing a 30-minute erotic show, so I guess it will be a 30-minute erotic show. (laughs) I haven’t performed live in a while, but it’s kinda like riding a bike. Performing live is cool when people appreciate what you’re doing. You react to the audience’s energy. But midnight is past my bedtime, so I’ll have to nap on the plane.And afterward you’ll be doing an autograph session. Tell us about your fans.My fans are a broad audience—from the young to the old. I mean I’ve been clocked by everyone from people in wheelchairs to drag queens. (laughs) You just can’t have any expectations. You just have to go into it with an open mind. Besides I’m a social kind of guy. You’ve been doing porn for a while now. Are you still enjoying it?Yeah, I’m still going strong after three years. I wouldn’t be doing it if I wasn’t having fun.Tell us about your latest films.Making Raiders of the Lost Arse was great, working with [director] Chris Ward and Raging Stallion. My scene for White Party Boiz was filmed at The Abbey in L.A. And The Missing Link was nasty. I can get into some kink if I am into the person. For that scene I was with Blake Harper and two other guys, so it was fun.And I hear you’re up for a part in director Wash West’s next film.Yeah, but I can’t really talk about it. It’s still in development. I love working with Wash though.Well, he has won a lot of awards. And speaking of which, you won for Best Ethnic Performer at last year’s Grabby Awards. What is your feeling about winning awards?It’s not really important to me. I guess it’s cool, but it’s not gonna determine how I feel about a performance. It’s all about politics anyway. I do the stuff I am directed to do. I mean I accepted the award, and I thanked the fans, but it was a new thing for me. Would you say you’re a shy person?Oh, yeah. When you’re having sex on film, it’s not really you. You’re performing. But getting onstage, if I am prepared, I’m okay, but accepting that award, I wasn’t prepared. Are you very involved in the West Hollywood porn scene?I don’t really keep up with who’s doing what. I just do my own thing. I follow my creative juices. Jeremy Tucker is a character I play. I try to balance my life as a porn star and an individual. It gets complex at times. Are you still single?Yeah, nobody wants me. (laughs)Can I ask about your reported relationship with porn star Sam Dixon?No.Okay, how about the controversial, supposedly anti-gay remarks you made at a porn event last year?No. I made a public apology about that, so it’s done as far as I’m concerned.Do you ever watch your own movies?No, dude! If I saw myself I’d get so embarrassed. For sure.What’s the hottest thing you’ve done on film?My scene with Marcus Iron in Convictions. There was a lot of chemistry there. He was very open, which made it easier.Have you been to New York City since 9/11?No, but I love New York, dude. People are a little more real there. It has been hard for me to comprehend what happened there. It’s so far-fetched that people planned to kill other people, and now people are getting bombed and we are at war. I have closed my eyes to it a bit. I know it’s there, but my motto is, “Live and let live.” And are you still living up to your reputation as a party boy?I have my moods. Sometimes I like to stay home and cook dinner and rent videos. Then I’ll have my party moods. I have a good time. (laughs)Reprinted from HX magazine (2002)

May 3, 2002

Originally from: Westport, ConnecticutAge: 21Height: 6’ 1”Weight: 170Distinguishing features: Hot hairy body and a major cock, which he can self-suckTattoos/piercings: “No piercings and two tattoos—a new-school graffiti design on my left thigh and a Keith Haring wraparound on my right calf.”Penis size: 10 x 6 1/2 cutSexual orientation: BisexualEthnic background: Russian/Eastern EuropeanEducation: Pre-law student in New York CityFirst adult performance:Starting Young (Channel One Releasing)Subsequent performances:Glory Holes of New York (Oh Man! Studios)What did you do before getting into porn? “I worked as a go-go dancer in a nightclub.”How did you get into the industry? “I was dancing at a club in New York City when Chi Chi LaRue came in. I immediately approached her, and after she saw me suck myself off, she booked me for my first movie.”How did you get your name? “I have a good friend named Danny, and I thought Hunter was a solid-sounding name. So, I became Danny Hunter.”Most memorable on-screen performance: “My first scene. There was a great energy between me and Kyle Kennedy, plus it was my first time, so there was a lot of excitement around that. And Chi Chi was awesome. She made me feel really confident.”Most memorable on-set performance not captured on tape: “I don’t kiss and tell!”Favorite co-star? “Out of the two scenes I’ve done, Kyle Kennedy. He’s totally my type and has an amazing ass.”Favorite sex act: “I could eat ass for days.”What are your long-term goals? “I want to be a porn superstar. I want to walk into a nightclub in the city and have people say, ‘Oh my God, that’s Danny Hunter!’ and have all these holes in my face for the taking! But if a few guys jack off while watching me, I’ll be satisfied.”

About Vincent Lambert

Vincent Lambert is a New York–based journalist, blogger and photographer who has covered the adult-entertainment industry since 1996. He has written for numerous publications, including Adult Video News, GAYVN, XBIZ, Adam Gay Film & Video Directory, Unzipped, Freshmen, Men, Latin Inches, Black Inches, All-Man, Manshots, Inside Porn and HX. Lambert has interviewed some of gay porn’s brightest stars—such as Jeff Stryker, Ryan Idol and Zeb Atlas—and reported on a variety of events, including Will Clark’s Bad Boys Pool Party and the Gay Erotic Expo. He also served as a judge for the GAYVN Awards for 12 years. In 2006, Lambert stepped behind the camera to write and direct his first scene, titled “Sex Party for Two,” for Lucas Entertainment’s “Encounters 2: The Point of No Return.” In 2007, he created his popular site VincentLambert.com, which features news, gossip and information. His short stories appear in three books from German publisher Bruno Gmünder. E-mail him at VincentLambertNYC@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @VinceLambertNYC.